The Oyate Health Center in Rapid City, South Dakota reported 12 new positive cases of COVID-19 over the past week.
Health Center CEO Jerilyn Church, who also serves as CEO of the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board, issued a statement Monday saying the health center had administered 46 COVID-19 tests to symptomatic patients over the past week. Of those, 12 were positive and 34 were negative.
“We have known for several weeks now that the COVID-19 virus is a serious and looming threat to our community and families,” Church said. “The Oyate Health Center has taken every precaution to ensure that our most vulnerable continue to receive services with minimal contact to the public. We have also taken steps to ensure that our homeless relatives are protected, and those who do contract the virus will have sustainable lodging necessary to self-quarantine.”
She encouraged patients to use telehealth programs and the health center’s pharmacy by-mail program.
She encouraged those experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or those who have been in contact with another individual who has tested positive to visit the health center’s Southwest Clinic. Those symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, chills, and decreased sense of smell or taste.
Church said the health center notified the Indian Health Services and the South Dakota Department of Health. She said one of the positive cases came from an employee of the Lacrosse Street Walmart in Rapid City.
“It is uncertain if other employees tested positive and to what degree the public may have been exposed,” she said. “These developments should serve as a warning to all of us that precautions must be taken to protect our families.”
https://gptchb.org/news/ceo-statement-on-positive-covid-19-cases-in-rapid-city/?fbclid=IwAR1unitwaonVnkHzETTeo_SSXfbID_gkDg6S07vOE9LAb3jKaK0TYOrYmOw
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